Equine Health Update EHU Vol 20 Issue 02 | Page 10

EQUINE | SAEVA News rected intent! And all this before safely facing down and coaxing the 500 kg patient who does not want to be examined or injected by the vet….. Dogs will often react as a pack and the trigger for the attack is not known as in the case with Rissa. The dogs attacked her at the gate and not at her car (where her own dogs – in the car for self-protection- were wait- ing). Although this severe incident is an isolated oc- currence, all large animal vets should take heed and exercise care when arriving for farm calls as the danger to you and your helper may not be your grumpy patient but the pack of dogs guarding the property. I would urge all vets and other animal health care providers (farriers, physios, dentists etc) to request owners to lock 10 dogs up when yards and farms are being visited. It is advised to note these farms in the practice database as ‘proceed with caution on arrival’ and all new vets and other health care workers visiting the farm should be advised. Rissa was discharged after 3 weeks in hospital and is still recovering from her severe injuries sustained and is not able to return to work just yet. References 1. BEVA Equine vets have the highest injury risk of all civilian pro- fessions (July 2016) https://www.beva.org.uk/. 2. Greeen,C. & Goldsteine, E Bite wound Infections August 2016, Ve- terian Key, Chapter 51, https://veteriankey.com/bite-wound-infections • Equine Health Update •